Marcia Jackson

“University of the Rockies is fulfilling a very important mission, both in Colorado Springs and abroad, by promoting a vision of diversity for all graduate students.”

“I am profoundly surprised by how much I’ve grown professionally through developing my dissertation at University of the Rockies,” says doctoral student Marcia Jackson, 49. Along with prompting this professional growth, her education is helping to uncover her passions. “While conducting my qualitative research, I discovered that I wanted to provide for African American women and women of all needs. My dissertation topic also led to my poster presentation, Making Meaning through Suffering, which debuted at the October 2009 Humanistic Conference at University of the Rockies.”

Marcia, who had previously earned a Master of Arts in Community Psychology and an Addiction Counseling Certificate III, was working in a management environment when she says she realized just how many challenges are facing her community. “That is why I chose to pursue my Doctor of Psychology; so that I can support the healing and recovery process of clients. I also plan to create a focus group for working-class women to discover meaning and purpose in their lives.”

Along with working for the state of Colorado as an addictions therapist, Marcia has been working hard to improve her community. Most recently, she completed two trainings with the Pikes Peak Hospice & Palliative Care Services, where she has volunteered giving comforting aromatherapy foot massages to patients in transition. Her efforts have had a positive impact, and she has been recognized: She received the 2010 Women of Influence award.

With her coursework completed at this point, Marcia is interning with Dr. David Stephens for the Fourth Judicial Mental Health Court program. Previously, she interned at Integrity Consulting Services, Inc.

Marcia is set to graduate from University of the Rockies in October 2014. “University of the Rockies is fulfilling a very important mission, both in Colorado Springs and abroad, by promoting a vision of diversity for all graduate students,” she says. And through her work at University of the Rockies and in her community, Marcia is busy fulfilling important missions herself. We look forward to seeing what she does next!